Reverendo Domino, domino Ioannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Johannes Flachsbinder) (*1485 – †1548), eminent diplomat and humanist in the service of the Jagiellons, neo-Latin poet; 1530-1537 Bishop of Kulm; 1537-1548 Bishop of Ermland⌊Ioanni DantiscoIoannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Johannes Flachsbinder) (*1485 – †1548), eminent diplomat and humanist in the service of the Jagiellons, neo-Latin poet; 1530-1537 Bishop of Kulm; 1537-1548 Bishop of Ermland⌋ episcopo Warmiensi Melchior Isinderus (Melchior Isinder) (*ca. 1520 – †1588), studied in Wittenberg; pupil of Philipp Melanchthon; 1548 - doctorate in theology from Wittenberg University; Professor (i.a. of Greek and Theology) at the University in Königsberg, 1549 - Rector⌊Melchior IsinderusMelchior Isinderus (Melchior Isinder) (*ca. 1520 – †1588), studied in Wittenberg; pupil of Philipp Melanchthon; 1548 - doctorate in theology from Wittenberg University; Professor (i.a. of Greek and Theology) at the University in Königsberg, 1549 - Rector⌋ salutem plurimam dicit.

Sicut non uno tantum calamitatis genere iustus ac sapiens ille Deus hanc aerumnosam humani generis naturam horribiliter ob delicta vel singulorum, vel omnium ceu saeva procella ac tempestate obrui et affligi saepius permittit, ita etiam, dum nos pro sua ineffabili ac perpetua misericordia placida et recta quadam voluntate respicere dignatur, non una aliqua liberalitatis parte benevolum et clementem se nobis praebet, sed vere id considerantes multis bonorum myriadibus affatim beat, sustentat, fovet et amplexatur. Nam etsi his nostris temporibus, quae quidem et periculosissima, et extrema non dubiis de causis ac coniecturis a plerisque praecellentibus viris esse iudicantur, multa atrocia ac turbulenta se commoverunt et subinde mole quadam sese adhuc proruunt et ostentant, de quibus animus bene institutus haud immerito angi et perturbari debeat, tamen tot ac tantis rursus beneficiis ac dotibus Dei hoc ipsum nostrum saeculum exornatum et instructum est, ut qui iis omnibus sapienter et recte ad vitam instituendam uti velit, nihil prorsus ad fortunate beateque vivendum desiderare queat.

Etenim ne singula persequi coner, maximum et vere ingens beneficium Dei iudicandum est, quod in hac ipsa nostra Germany (Germania, Niemcy)⌊GermaniaGermany (Germania, Niemcy)⌋, hac aetate vel studia tantum li<n>guarum ita effloruerunt, ut non solum Romana eloquentia trans Alps (Alpes), mountain range stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east; through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany; to France in the west⌊AlpesAlps (Alpes), mountain range stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east; through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany; to France in the west⌋ ad nos commigraverit, verum etiam omnis Graeca sapientia Athens (Athenae), city-state in ancient Greece⌊AthenisAthens (Athenae), city-state in ancient Greece⌋ usque una cum The Jews ⌊HebreorumThe Jews ⌋ divinis illis et Spiritus Sancti mysteriis Jerusalem (Hierosolyma), city in ancient Palestine, Judean Mountains, 1517-1917 under the rule of Ottoman Empire, today the capital of Israel⌊HierosolimisJerusalem (Hierosolyma), city in ancient Palestine, Judean Mountains, 1517-1917 under the rule of Ottoman Empire, today the capital of Israel⌋ quoque ceu sede pulsa in tutissimum portum ad nos confugerit et appulerit. Ac cogitans saepenumero de artificibus in hoc ipso genere praecipuis et eximiis, magnopere et tacitus quodammodo gratulatus sum, tum aliis in Germany (Germania, Niemcy)⌊GermaniaGermany (Germania, Niemcy)⌋ gymnasiis publicis, quibus iisdem frui contigisset, tum vel praecipue celeberrimae Mysorum apud Lypsenses Academiae, quod hactenus Ioachimus Camerarius (Joachim Kammermeister) (*1500 – †1547), humanist, scholar, writer and translator of numerous Greek works, friend of Melanchton and Helius Eobanus, acquaintance of Martin Luther and Erasmus of Rotterdam (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 138; CE, vol. 1, p. 247-248)⌊Ioachimi CamerariiIoachimus Camerarius (Joachim Kammermeister) (*1500 – †1547), humanist, scholar, writer and translator of numerous Greek works, friend of Melanchton and Helius Eobanus, acquaintance of Martin Luther and Erasmus of Rotterdam (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 138; CE, vol. 1, p. 247-248)⌋ summa fide et industria in Latinis et Graecis, Bernhard Ziegler (*1496 – †1552), Lutheran theologian, hebraist⌊Bernardi autem ZygleriBernhard Ziegler (*1496 – †1552), Lutheran theologian, hebraist⌋ in Hebraicis tradendis litteris ceu singulari quadam Dei providentia usa sit. Etsi enim illustri et clarissima fama publica monumentisque eorum satis antea edoctus eram, quantam et laudem, et dignitatem mererentur, tamen cum eo in Königsberg (Królewiec, Mons Regius, Regiomontium), city in Ducal Prussia, on the mouth of the Pregel (Pregoła) river, capital city of Ducal Prussia; today Kaliningrad in Russia⌊locoKönigsberg (Królewiec, Mons Regius, Regiomontium), city in Ducal Prussia, on the mouth of the Pregel (Pregoła) river, capital city of Ducal Prussia; today Kaliningrad in Russia⌋ ante triennium fere diutius aliquanto commorarer, singulare et eximium utriusque in enarrandis sui cuiusque generis auctoribus studium perspexi et admiratus sum. Nam et Ioachimus Camerarius (Joachim Kammermeister) (*1500 – †1547), humanist, scholar, writer and translator of numerous Greek works, friend of Melanchton and Helius Eobanus, acquaintance of Martin Luther and Erasmus of Rotterdam (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 138; CE, vol. 1, p. 247-248)⌊Ioachimi CamerariiIoachimus Camerarius (Joachim Kammermeister) (*1500 – †1547), humanist, scholar, writer and translator of numerous Greek works, friend of Melanchton and Helius Eobanus, acquaintance of Martin Luther and Erasmus of Rotterdam (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 138; CE, vol. 1, p. 247-248)⌋ Graecum libellum tum videram, in quo eum praeclarum quoddam specimen eruditionis ac sapientiae Graecae exhibuisse augurabar.

Proinde cum postea libellus iste in hanc ad nos oram septentrionalem allatus esset, percupide sane eum amplexus perlegi, praesertim cum et rem ipsam, quam inscriptio pollicebatur, cognoscendam esse arbitrarer et quod orationis compositionem quasique textum non alienum a similitudine operum vetustatis esse statim animadvertebam. Quod si autem mihi de aliena li<n>gua, quam ego neque celeriter discere incepi, nec etiam me perdidicisse libenter profiteor, iudicium facere conceditur, videor mihi et recte, et vere hoc dicturus haud indignum esse hunc ipsum libellum lectione eorum, qui Graecas litteras partim et ipsi didicerunt, partim, ut par est, admirantur. Et huius equidem meae sententiae vel primam et praecipuam quasi causam adferre nihil vereor, quod nimirum hoc ipso in exemplo vel manifestum in hoc genere studiorum profectum et successum quendam eximium conspicere poterint, unde et suorum studiorum curriculum confirment ac convincere et redarguere possint iniquorum quorundam iudicia, qui leviter vel livore, vel ignavia fascinati de hoc studio sentiunt ac pronuntiant.

Nec sane controversiae quoque ullius futurum esse arbitror, si dixero, auctorem, qui quidem mea laude non indiget cuique ab omnibus viris doctissimis et bonis eximiam et singularem huius linguae cognitionem tribui scio, in hoc ipso scripto id praestitisse, quod res gravissimas verbis bonis, figuris sermonis propriis et aptissima compositione complexus sit. Porro quamvis et ego existimem praecipue ex veterum probatorum auctorum scriptis omnem veritatem eruditae ac prudentis orationis maximo studio, summa cura et assidua lectione petendam esse. Tamen simul et illud ab optimarum artium studiosis non alienum fuerit nec recentes et, ut ita vocem, novitios conatus nostrae aetatis aspernari aut fastidire vel propter documenta industriae et dexteritatis, vel ut nostro quoque saeculo aliquis habeatur honos.

Quare cum his de causis libenter hoc legissem scriptum et quidem maiori aliquanto cum voluptate, quod mihi cum auctore ipso necessitudo minime vulgaris intercederet, haud gravatim etiam laborem convertendi illud in sermonem Latinum suscepi, ut si qui alii, Graecis litteris non usque adeo instructi, legere id forte cuperent, non multo negotio aut labore interpretationem conquirere cogerentur. Nam et ideo versionem meam non longe ab ipsis abduxi verbis ac his potius illam inhaerere volui, cum et genus sermonis accuratius non exquirerem, sed tantum planam ac perspicuam, non etiam satis elegantem translationem esse conarer. Interim vero, ut et, quod res est, fatear, ipsa rerum et argumenti utilitas atque dignitas me movit, ut si perficere possem, annitendum mihi putarem, quo id ipsum a pluribus cognosceretur.

Ut enim citra suspicionem adulationis haec laudare videar, hoc tantum dicam, quod et manifestum est, et omnibus vere iudicantibus dicendum occurreret, gravissimas et bonas sententias de his, quae in hoc libello exponuntur, positas easque moderatione quadam digna studiis optimarum disciplinarum atque artium explicatas esse. Ac certe cum de invocationis dogmate quidam ut magis absurda et impia contra suum etiam iudicium defenderent, quam ut veritatem exquirerent et cognoscerent, studium suum occupare maluerint, ea in disputatione illa auctor mihi collegisse videtur, de quibus et huius perversitas, et vera sanctorum veneratio non tam probari ac asseri, quam probata et asserta proclamari et quasi perorata iam pridem causa concludi existimari possit. Quam autem hic error et nocens sit, et turpis, non conabor equidem praesertim hoc in loco id ostendere, cum et aliorum egregia et luculenta de eo scripta extent, et longiorem atque exquisitiorem disputationem res desideret, quam ut ea pro nostro captu et huius scripti occasione a nobis praestari queat.

Ceterum duabus potissimum de causis hunc laborem et quasi foetum studii mei ad te peculiarter, Amplissime Praesul, mittere volui, cum ut Tuae Reverendissimae Paternitati ratio exercitationis meae innotesceret, tum ut vel ab illius approbatione tutelam et patrocinium acciperet, vel de reprehensione emendaretur. Ea enim revera est non modo celebritas, sed etiam auctoritas doctrinae atque eruditionis Tuae, ut opera non mei solum ingenii, sed eorum etiam, qui in hoc curriculo optimarum artium me progressi sunt, longius citra controversiam Tuo iudicio stare et cadere debeant.

Quae enim regio aut quis locus terrarum ignorat nomen tuum? An, ut ab illa ordiar, unde imperio Augusto gubernator datus fuit, Spain (Hispania)⌊HispaniaSpain (Hispania)⌋? Ubi certe reliquisti existimationem sapientiae et doctrinae, quam nemo externus umquam. An vero Germany (Germania, Niemcy)⌊GermaniaGermany (Germania, Niemcy)⌋? Nam quid ego de Poland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia)⌊PoloniaePoland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia)⌋ tuae florentissimo regno dicam, quo te cives tui, collegae, Sigismund I Jagiellon (Zygmunt I) (*1467 – †1548), King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania (1506-1548); Duke of Głogów (Glogau) (1499-1506), Duke of Opava (1501-1506), Governor of Silesia (1504-1506); son of King Kazimierz IV Jagiellon and Elisabeth of Austria⌊rexSigismund I Jagiellon (Zygmunt I) (*1467 – †1548), King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania (1506-1548); Duke of Głogów (Glogau) (1499-1506), Duke of Opava (1501-1506), Governor of Silesia (1504-1506); son of King Kazimierz IV Jagiellon and Elisabeth of Austria⌋ ipse ceu numen aliquod coelitus delapsum secundum Homer aoidos, in the classical tradition the author of the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey"; the greatest ancient Greek epic poet⌊HomerumHomer aoidos, in the classical tradition the author of the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey"; the greatest ancient Greek epic poet⌋ intuentur? Quid de Italy (Italia)⌊ItaliaItaly (Italia)⌋, de France (Gallia, Francia), the kingdom⌊GallisFrance (Gallia, Francia), the kingdom⌋ admiratricibus ac praedicatricibus verissimarum laudum tuarum, cum etiam famam tuam innavigabilia antiquis maria transvolasse et ad ignota illa loca India⌊IndiaeIndia⌋ pervenisse sciamus.

Sed et rem ipsam sperabam intelligentiae tuae probatam iri, praesertim cum recordarer, eam a clarissimo et viro, et poeta, Tuae Reverendissimae Paternitati dilectissimo Helius Eobanus Hessus (Eobanus Koch, Helius Coccius) (*1488 – †1540), neo Latin poet, humanist and writer, since 1509 secretary of bishop of Pomesania Hiob Dobeneck, lecturer of law at the University of Erfurt, 1526-1533 lecturer in the Nuremberg Gymnasium, 1530 visited Augsburg during the Imperial Diet, since 1536 professor of history at the University of Marburg; in 1512 attended the wedding of Sigismund I Jagiellon and Barbara Zápolya at Cracow (NDB, Bd. 4, s. 543-545; CE, vol. 1, p. 434-436)⌊Eobano HessoHelius Eobanus Hessus (Eobanus Koch, Helius Coccius) (*1488 – †1540), neo Latin poet, humanist and writer, since 1509 secretary of bishop of Pomesania Hiob Dobeneck, lecturer of law at the University of Erfurt, 1526-1533 lecturer in the Nuremberg Gymnasium, 1530 visited Augsburg during the Imperial Diet, since 1536 professor of history at the University of Marburg; in 1512 attended the wedding of Sigismund I Jagiellon and Barbara Zápolya at Cracow (NDB, Bd. 4, s. 543-545; CE, vol. 1, p. 434-436)⌋, divinis carminum praeconiis, in coelum, quod dicitur, sublatam esse. Adde, quod illud idem non minor et poeta, et orator Caspar Ursinus Velius (Caspar Bernhardi) (*1493 – †1539), humanist and poet, author of poems and chronicle of the wars of King Ferdinand against John Zápolya and the Ottoman Empire (De Bello hungarico, printed in 1762); friend of Erasmus of Rotterdam and Dantiscus; since 1509 servant of Gurk bishop Matthäus Lang; in 1527 became historian of King Ferdinand and in 1532 he was also appointed tutor of his children (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 56; CE, vol. 3, p. 356-357)⌊Caspar Ursinus VeliusCaspar Ursinus Velius (Caspar Bernhardi) (*1493 – †1539), humanist and poet, author of poems and chronicle of the wars of King Ferdinand against John Zápolya and the Ottoman Empire (De Bello hungarico, printed in 1762); friend of Erasmus of Rotterdam and Dantiscus; since 1509 servant of Gurk bishop Matthäus Lang; in 1527 became historian of King Ferdinand and in 1532 he was also appointed tutor of his children (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 56; CE, vol. 3, p. 356-357)⌋, popularis meus, magna multorum bonorum etiam cum approbatione praestiterit. Taceo vero, quantam et prudentis facundiae laudem magnificus Georgius Sabinus (Georg Schuler) (*1508 – †1560), philologist, neolatin poet, Melanchton's student and his son-in-law (husband of Anna), first rector of the University of Königsberg (Albertina), acquaintance of Joachim Camerarius, Pietro Bembo, Damian a Goes and Baptista Egnatius; in 1534 created poet-laureate and Comes Palatinus of the Lateran; 1538 professor of rhetoric at the University of Frankfurt an der Oder; 1544 rector of the ducal college (later University) of Königsberg (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 369-370; CE, vol. 3, p. 182-183)⌊Georgius SabinusGeorgius Sabinus (Georg Schuler) (*1508 – †1560), philologist, neolatin poet, Melanchton's student and his son-in-law (husband of Anna), first rector of the University of Königsberg (Albertina), acquaintance of Joachim Camerarius, Pietro Bembo, Damian a Goes and Baptista Egnatius; in 1534 created poet-laureate and Comes Palatinus of the Lateran; 1538 professor of rhetoric at the University of Frankfurt an der Oder; 1544 rector of the ducal college (later University) of Königsberg (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 369-370; CE, vol. 3, p. 182-183)⌋, vir sane vel praecipuum nostri temporis poetarum illustrium ornamentum, saepius in sermonibus suis Tuae Reverendissimae Paternitati ascribere soleat, praesertim cum et propter societatem celeberrimi nominis libenter Te suspiciat Tuaque omnia merito admiretur. Quin etiam memini, Ioachimus Camerarius (Joachim Kammermeister) (*1500 – †1547), humanist, scholar, writer and translator of numerous Greek works, friend of Melanchton and Helius Eobanus, acquaintance of Martin Luther and Erasmus of Rotterdam (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 138; CE, vol. 1, p. 247-248)⌊IoachimumIoachimus Camerarius (Joachim Kammermeister) (*1500 – †1547), humanist, scholar, writer and translator of numerous Greek works, friend of Melanchton and Helius Eobanus, acquaintance of Martin Luther and Erasmus of Rotterdam (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 138; CE, vol. 1, p. 247-248)⌋, auctorem scripti huius, de Tua et clementia, et humanitate (quae etiam est in principe viro profecto laudabilis) cum Leipzig (Lipsia), city in southern Germany, Saxony⌊LipsiaeLeipzig (Lipsia), city in southern Germany, Saxony⌋ essem, studiosissime saepius verba facere. Nam et versuum tuorum, quos aliquando, anno, nisi fallor, ab hinc XXI Wittenberg (Vittemberga), city in east-central Germany, Saxony, on the Elbe river, 70 km NE of Leipzig⌊VitebergaeWittenberg (Vittemberga), city in east-central Germany, Saxony, on the Elbe river, 70 km NE of Leipzig⌋ Philipp Melanchthon (Philipp Schwartzerd) (*1497 – †1560), Lutheran theologian, humanist, Martin Luther's collaborator and friend, author of the Augsburg Confession. He was strongly influenced by Luther, whom he called his spiritual father. In 1519 he was present as a spectator at the disputation of Leipzig between Martin Luther and Johann Eck. He was also in attendance at the Diet of Augsburg (1530) and at the religious colloquy of Worms (1557)⌊Philippo MelanthoniPhilipp Melanchthon (Philipp Schwartzerd) (*1497 – †1560), Lutheran theologian, humanist, Martin Luther's collaborator and friend, author of the Augsburg Confession. He was strongly influenced by Luther, whom he called his spiritual father. In 1519 he was present as a spectator at the disputation of Leipzig between Martin Luther and Johann Eck. He was also in attendance at the Diet of Augsburg (1530) and at the religious colloquy of Worms (1557)⌋ recitaveras et colloqui Norici[1] honestissimam mentionem ab Ioachimus Camerarius (Joachim Kammermeister) (*1500 – †1547), humanist, scholar, writer and translator of numerous Greek works, friend of Melanchton and Helius Eobanus, acquaintance of Martin Luther and Erasmus of Rotterdam (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 138; CE, vol. 1, p. 247-248)⌊eoIoachimus Camerarius (Joachim Kammermeister) (*1500 – †1547), humanist, scholar, writer and translator of numerous Greek works, friend of Melanchton and Helius Eobanus, acquaintance of Martin Luther and Erasmus of Rotterdam (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 138; CE, vol. 1, p. 247-248)⌋ factam esse recordor.

His igitur omnibus adductus atque plane impulsus hanc qualemcumque operam studii mei, quam et propter scholam nostram, in qua hoc tempore Graeca lingua a me tractabatur, susceperam, Tuae Reverendissimae Paternitati dedicare volui. Quae ut persuasionem de ipsa meam et hanc quasi accessionem ad ipsam atque interpellationem epistolae boni consulere velit etiam atque etiam, qua par est, reverentia peto atque contendo. Postremo optimas artes atque disciplinas Tuae Reverendissimae Paternitatis patrocinio ita commendo, ut qua hactenus fecit benignitate et in posterum eadem eas complecti non dedignetur.

Quo quidem Deo ipso nihil est futurum gratius ac Tuae Reverendissimae Paternitati in terris nihil gloriosius atque honestius, cui precor, ut ea bene et feliciter quam diutissime valeat.

Ex Academia Königsberg (Królewiec, Mons Regius, Regiomontium), city in Ducal Prussia, on the mouth of the Pregel (Pregoła) river, capital city of Ducal Prussia; today Kaliningrad in Russia⌊Regii MontisKönigsberg (Królewiec, Mons Regius, Regiomontium), city in Ducal Prussia, on the mouth of the Pregel (Pregoła) river, capital city of Ducal Prussia; today Kaliningrad in Russia⌋, mense Aprili anno MDXLVI.

[1 ] Noricum is the Latin name for a Celtic kingdom that included most of modern Austria and part of Slovenia; the adjective Noricus here surely refers to Nuremberg (Nürnberg, Norimberga), city in Germany, Bavaria⌊NurembergNuremberg (Nürnberg, Norimberga), city in Germany, Bavaria⌋, where Ioannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Johannes Flachsbinder) (*1485 – †1548), eminent diplomat and humanist in the service of the Jagiellons, neo-Latin poet; 1530-1537 Bishop of Kulm; 1537-1548 Bishop of Ermland⌊DantiscusIoannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Johannes Flachsbinder) (*1485 – †1548), eminent diplomat and humanist in the service of the Jagiellons, neo-Latin poet; 1530-1537 Bishop of Kulm; 1537-1548 Bishop of Ermland⌋ had the opportunity to meet Ioachimus Camerarius (Joachim Kammermeister) (*1500 – †1547), humanist, scholar, writer and translator of numerous Greek works, friend of Melanchton and Helius Eobanus, acquaintance of Martin Luther and Erasmus of Rotterdam (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 138; CE, vol. 1, p. 247-248)⌊CamerariusIoachimus Camerarius (Joachim Kammermeister) (*1500 – †1547), humanist, scholar, writer and translator of numerous Greek works, friend of Melanchton and Helius Eobanus, acquaintance of Martin Luther and Erasmus of Rotterdam (DE VOCHT 1961, p. 138; CE, vol. 1, p. 247-248)⌋ in April 1532